July 16 - 31, 2015

These are the scripts Joe Benson used on the air at 100.3 The Sound (KSWD) in Los Angeles. They all received final editing by Jan Benson, without whom the task would have been far too daunting. Remember to give credit where credit is due, and enjoy!

July 16, 2015

Percussionist Stewart Copeland of The Police is 63.

On this day in 1966, Ginger Baker, Jack Bruce and Eric Clapton formed the first bona fide supergroup. They chose the name Cream because they were considered to be Britain's best rock musicians (the "Cream" of the crop) — probably a better moniker than "Really, Really Loud & Grouchy Egomaniacs."

On this day in 1966, Tommy James & The Shondells started a two week run at #1 on the singles charts with "Hanky Panky," introducing blatant pure lust into American Pop Music.

On this day in 1969, The Who released the song "I'm Free."

On this day in 1976, Loggins & Messina broke up when Kenny Loggins sensed a successful solo career might be right around the corner.

On this day in 1977, "I'm In You," Peter Frampton's million-selling follow-up to his "Comes Alive" album (eight million sold/10 weeks at #1), hit #2 for the first of four weeks.

On this day in 1977, the classic The Alan Parson's Project album "I Robot" entered the charts on its way to #9. Having been written and recorded as a studio project, touring wasn't an option, and thus, sales were hurt.

On this day in 1981, songwriter/storyteller Harry Chapin was killed in an auto accident on New York's Long Island Expressway. He was 38 years old.

On this day in 1996, Styx drummer John Panozzo died of bleeding ulcers and cirrhosis of the liver at the age of 47.

On this day in 2012, Deep Purple keyboardist Jon Lord lost his long battle with pancreatic cancer at the age of 71. The classically trained musician, who co-founded Deep Purple in 1968, created one of the most influential hard rock sounds ever.

On this day in 2014, following years of poor health, guitarist/singer Johnny Winter died in Paris at the age of 70. The older brother of Edgar Winter had recorded almost 20 albums following Woodstock in 1969, and produced three GRAMMY Award winners for Muddy Waters.

Eagles/Kennedy Honors

The Eagles and Carole King are among the notables who will be saluted at the 38th annual Kennedy Center Honors at a star-studded gala on December 6th. The Rock & Roll Hall Of Famers will join "Star Wars" mastermind George Lucas, actors Rita Moreno and Cicely Tyson, and conductor Seiji Ozawa in receiving the prestigious honors at Washington, D.C.'s John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The gala, in recognition of the recipients' lifetime contributions to American culture through the performing arts, will air December 29 on CBS.

New Def Lep

October is Def Leppard's target for the release of their first new studio album since 2008's "Songs From The Sparkle Lounge." Their original plan was to record a single or possible EP, but they ended up with over a dozen tracks, so a self-titled album it shall be!

It was Benjamin Franklin who said: "A house is not a home unless it contains food and fire for the mind as well as the body."

It was John Fogerty who said: "You should play with real musicians; the best music comes from real people interacting with each other."

It was Maria Robinson who said: "Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending."

It was Oscar Wilde who said: "What is said of a man is nothing. The point is, who says it."

This Friday! Join yer Unc in welcoming Gabriel Iglesias (Fluffy!) to his first ever show at the Pacific Amphitheatre! And what better way to celebrate the Orange County Fair on a warm Summer evening than enjoying Unity With Laughter!

July 17, 2015

On this day in 1967, after just seven dates in nine days, Jimi Hendrix opened his final show for The Monkees in Forest Hills, New York. There was no truth to the rumor that he was kicked off of the tour after protests by the Daughters of the American Revolution because his show was "too erotic" — in fact, Jimi totally bombed with The Monkees' teenybopper audience.

On this day in 1968, though they didn't voice the animated classic, The Beatles did attend the "Yellow Submarine" premier at The London Pavilion. When it was all finished, everyone agreed that it was one trippy movie.

On this day in 1971, Creedence Clearwater Revival's final Top 10 hit, "Sweet Hitch-Hiker," entered the charts.

On this day in 1971, the single version of The Who's epic "Won't Get Fooled Again" entered the charts on its way to #15 (Top 40 radio wasn't interested in epic seven-minute songs yet) as Rod Stewart released his classic "Reason To Believe" to virtually no commercial response. However, when it was rereleased 12 years later, "Reason To Believe" broke into the Top 20. And to this day, "Won't Get Fooled Again" is more epic than ever!

On this day in 1976, Heart's signature "Magic Man" entered the singles charts on its way to #9.

On this day in 1976, Rod Stewart's "Night On The Town" entered the album charts on its way to five weeks at #2 with two million sold.

On this day in 1982, Fleetwood Mac's "Mirage" album entered the charts on its way to five weeks at #1 with two million sold.

On this day in 1982, former Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant released his first solo album, "Pictures At 11." It eventually hit #5 while selling a million copies.

On this day in 1982, 38 Special's "Special Forces" album — their biggest commercial success — hit #10 on the strength of their "Caught Up In You" single.

On this day in 1996, Chas Chandler, the bass player for The Animals who later became Jimi Hendrix's manager, died in a British hospital at the age of 57. He had been undergoing tests related to an aortic aneurysm.

It was Steven Wright who said: "I just got out of the hospital. I was in a speed-reading accident. I hit a bookmark."

It was Jimmy Kimmel who said: "Experts say the decrease in crime could be due to the aging of the population, increased incarceration, and many criminals finding jobs in the banking industry and on Wall Street."

It was Coach Vince Lombardi who said: "It's not whether you get knocked down, it's whether you get up."

It was Bernard Baruch who said: "We did not all come over on the same ship, but we are all in the same boat."

July 18, 2015

Bluesman "Screaming" Jay Hawkins would have been 86 (the same number of children he claimed to have fathered).
Keyboardist Ian Stewart, a founding member of The Rolling Stones, would have been 77.

On this day in 1953, Elvis Presley made his first recording, "My Happiness," as a gift for his mother.

On this day in 1960, Elvis Presley's "It's Now Or Never" was released. That evening marked Andy Chanley's first karaoke performance of said song in front of real people. Fortunately, Andy's friends later made bail.

On this day in 1964, The Beatles album "A Hard Days Night" entered the charts on its way to 14 weeks at #1. During that run, it sold over four million copies and yielded two #1 hits, the title track (which also began a two-week run at #1 on this day) and "Can't Buy Me Love."

On this day in 1964, The Rolling Stones first hit single, a rockin' cover of Buddy Holly's "Not Fade Away," peaked at #48 in the States.

On this day in 1981, Santana's cover of Russ Ballard's "Winning" peaked at #17 as Journey's "Who's Crying Now" entered the singles charts on its way to #4 and Pat Benatar's "Fire And Ice" was heading up to #17.

Unc's Vaca

Well, he's really not very far away... but J.B. is letting his old friend Cynthia Fox stretch out her latent midday legs this week on The Sound. Oh, and he's already spent several hours working on his race car — so beware!

It was Marcus Tullius Cicero who said in 55 BC: "The budget should be balanced, the Treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed lest Rome become bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance." Same as it ever was.

July 19, 2015

Guitarists Bernie Leadon of the Eagles and Brian May of Queen are both 68.Grateful Dead keyboardist Keith Godchaux would have been 67.Allen Collins of Lynyrd Skynyrd would have been 63.

On this day in 1954, Sun Records released the first Elvis Presley single, "That's Alright (Mama)."

On this day in 1966, The Monkees (along with The Wrecking Crew session musicians) recorded their TV theme song.

On this day in 1969, The Rolling Stones' "Honky Tonk Women" entered the singles charts on its way to four weeks at #1 as Crosby, Stills & Nash's "Marrakesh Express" began a climb to #28.

On this day in 1975, written during a soundcheck in Hawaii, ZZ Top's "Tush" entered the charts on its way into the Top 20 and bar band set lists across America.

On this day in 1975, Paul McCartney's million-selling "Venus And Mars" album hit #1 one month after its release.

On this day in 1980, Jackson Browne's "Hold Out" and Queen's "The Game" both entered the charts on their way to #1 — the four-million selling Queen album for five weeks after Jackson's two-million seller peaked.

On this day in 1980, Billy Joel hit #1 on the singles charts for the first time with "It's Still Rock And Roll To Me" just as The Rolling Stones' "Emotional Rescue" album began its climb to seven weeks at #1 with two million sold.

On this day in 1980, the stage adaptation of "The Elephant Man," starring David Bowie, opened in Denver. The non-musical part gave Bowie his first dramatic stage role, and when the show eventually moved to Broadway, fans could finally see The Thin White Duke on The Great White Way.

On this day in 1981, Journey's "Who's Crying Now" entered the singles charts (and romantic situations across America) on its way to #4.

On this day in 1982, The Rolling Stones' "Emotional Rescue" began its climb to a seven-week run at #1.

July 20, 2015

Bassist John Lodge of The Moody Blues is 70.
Guitar god Carlos Santana is 68.
Singer Chris Cornell of Soundgarden and Audioslave is 51.Pearl Jam guitarist Stone Gossard is 49.

On this day in 1968, actress Jane Asher told a BBC TV reporter that her seven-month engagement to Paul McCartney was off. Watching the television with some friends, Paul found out about the breakup at the same time as millions of other Brittons (including many joyous females).

On this day in 1968, Creedence Clearwater Revival's self-titled debut album meekly entered the charts on its way to #52. Though it took several months to sell a million copies, it immediately influenced thousands of garage bands and set the stage for CCR to become the most popular band in America just six months down the road.

On this day in 1968, a new Progressive Rock era dawned as The Moody Blues' "Tuesday Afternoon" entered the singles charts on its way to #28. In a related side note, within six months sales of the newly invented consumer stereo headphones rocketed due to the success of The Moody Blues albums.

On this day in 1969, contrary to anything Timothy Leary later said, Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin became the first men to walk on the moon.

On this day in 1974, as David Bowie's "Diamond Dogs" album — featuring "Rebel Rebel" — peaked at #5, Eric Clapton's career redefining "461 Ocean Boulevard" album entered the charts on its way to four weeks at #1.

On this day in 1974, Joey Ramone moved out from behind the drums to become the vocalist and frontman for The Ramones. Gabba, gabba, hey!

It was Marcus Tullius Cicero who said in 55 BC: "The budget should be balanced, the Treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed lest Rome become bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance." Same as it ever was.

July 21, 2015

On this day in 1973, Steely Dan's second album, "Countdown To Ecstasy," entered the charts on its way to #8... and serious musicians around the world were suddenly taking notice.

On this day in 1979, as "I Want You To Want Me" by Cheap Trick peaked at #7 on the singles charts and The Knack's "My Sharona" began shooting its way up to #1, Robert Palmer's "Bad Case Of Loving You" started its climb to #14 and Journey's "Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin'" began a slow grind to #16.

On this day in 1979, the Electric Light Orchestra's "Discovery" album peaked at #5 on the strength of their "Don't Bring Me Down" single just as Neil Young's classic million-selling "Rust Never Sleeps" album entered the charts on its way to #8.

On this day in 1980, AC/DC's definitive "Back In Black" album was unleashed, eventually becoming one of the biggest selling albums ever with sales of over 49 million copies.

On this day in 1986, The Police began trying to record an album that they never came close to finishing. When Sting opted for his solo career instead of working with Stewart Copeland and Andy Summers, the trio released a greatest hits package and called it a day.

On this day in 1987, Guns 'N Roses released their debut album, "Appetite For Destruction." It would be five weeks before the album even charted, and a full year before it hit #1. Eventually, "Appetite For Destruction" sold over 30 million copies worldwide.

July 22, 2015

On this day in 1967, The Beatles' "All You Need Is Love" entered the charts on its way to #1 as The Doors hit #1 with "Light My Fire."

On this day in 1972, "Take It Easy" by the Eagles peaked at #12 as "Rock & Roll Part 2" by Gary Glitter entered the charts.

On this day in 1978, Bob Seger's six-million selling "Stranger In Town" album hit #4 as his "Still The Same" single peaked at #4 and Bruce Springsteen's "Prove It All Night" topped out at #33 on the singles charts.

On this day in 1966, The Rolling Stones' bittersweet "Lady Jane" entered the singles charts on its way to #24.

On this day in 1977, Foreigner's breakthrough "Cold As Ice" entered the singles charts on its way to #6.

On this day in 1977, Led Zeppelin's manager and drummer, Peter Grant and John Bonham, as well as three of their security guards were arrested in Oakland, California for severely beating three of promoter Bill Graham's employees after a concert in that city.

On this day in 1979, keyboard player Keith Godchaux of the Grateful Dead died of complications from head injuries suffered in a car accident two days earlier. Keith and his wife, singer Donna Jean Godchaux, had played with the Dead since 1972.

On this day in 1983, the most successful studio album of The Police's career, "Synchronicity," hit #1 for the first of 17 weeks as the three bandmates were trying to kill each other backstage while their 107-date world tour launched in Chicago.

On this day in 1983, Stevie Nicks' second solo album, "The Wild Heart," hit #5 just as Stevie Ray Vaughan's debut album, "Texas Flood," began its climb to #38. Both eventually sold over two million copies.

On this day in 1983, ZZ Top's career defining "Sharp Dressed Man" entered the singles charts on its way to #56 as its video was taking MTV by storm — a commercial impact that did not go unnoticed!

On this day in 1988, after entering the charts 11 months earlier, Def Leppard's classic "Hysteria" album finally hit #1 for the first of four weeks. It eventually sold over 12 million copies in the U.S. and over 20 million worldwide.

It was Keith Richards who said: "What is it that makes you want to write songs? In a way, you want to stretch yourself into other people's hearts. You want to plant yourself there, or at least get a resonance, where other people become a bigger instrument than the one you're playing. It becomes almost an obsession to tough other people. To write a song that is remembered and taken to heart is a connection, a touching of bases. A thread that runs through all of us. A stab to the heart. Sometimes I think songwriting is about tightening the heartstrings as much as possible without bringing on a heart attack."

July 24, 2015

On this day in 1965, Bob Dylan's "Like A Rolling Stone" entered the singles charts. In the process of changing Rock & Roll's lyrical approach forever, it eventually spent two weeks at #2 on the charts.

On this day in 1971, "Wild Horses" by The Rolling Stones peaked at #28 on the singles charts as The Allman Brothers Band's breakthrough "At Fillmore East" entered the album charts on its way to #13 and party soundtracks across America.

On this day in 1976, "Take The Money And Run" by the Steve Miller Band hit #11 as Thin Lizzy's "The Boys Are Back In Town" topped out at #12 on the singles charts.

On this day in 1982, Fleetwood Mac's "Hold Me" peaked at #4 on the singles charts.

On this day in 1983, John Mellencamp's "Jack And Diane" entered the singles charts on its way to a four week run at #1.

On this day in 1983, driven in part by their live show, Judas Priest's multi-million selling, hard rocking "Screaming For Vengeance" album entered the charts on its way to #17.

On this day in 1993, U2's "Zooropa" charted at #1 for the first of two weeks as the Irish band was taking the world by storm with one of the most innovative tours anyone had ever seen.

On this day in 2011, singer/guitarist Dan Peek, a founding member of the group America, died in his sleep in his home at the age of 60.

This Sunday night at 8pm on 100.3 The Sound of Los Angeles, OFF THE RECORD with Joe Benson will feature the music of Fleetwood Mac as well as more of Joe's extensive conversations with Stevie Nicks, Mick Fleetwood and Christine McVie. Check out this preview!

July 25, 2015

Drummer Jim McCarty of The Yardbirds is 72.

On this day in 1964, The Beatles' album "A Hard Day's Night" hit #1 on the charts for the first of 14 weeks.

On this day in 1965, Bob Dylan went electric at the Newport Folk Festival and played a few tunes he had just recorded. Outraged folkies booed him off the stage and accused him of becoming a "sellout." There was so much to be outraged by in 1965.

On this day in 1966, The Rolling Stones played their last American concert with founding guitarist Brian Jones. Although Brian didn't really know, San Francisco was the place.

On this day in 1968, George Harrison recorded the first acoustic take of his song "While My Guitar Gently Weeps." A few weeks later he worked up the electric version, but wasn't happy with it until he got his friend Eric Clapton to play the guitar solo on September 6th. The song — a true classic — was eventually released on The Beatles "White Album."

On this day in 1969 at Bill Graham's Fillmore East, Neil Young appeared onstage with Crosby, Stills & Nash for the first time.

On this same day in 1969, Led Zeppelin played in Milwaukee at the cleverly named Midwest Rock Festival. Guitar god Eric Clapton, who performed with Blind Faith the next day, caught the set by fellow former-Yardbird guitarist Jimmy Page's new band. Eric's observation: "They were very loud. I thought it was unnecessarily loud. I liked some of it; I really did like some of it. But a lot of it was just too much. They overemphasized whatever point they were making, I thought." Being a member of Cream, E.C. evidently never witnessed himself playing with the original "overemphasized" band.

On this day in 1970, Chicago's "25 Or 6 To 4" single began its run to #4 as Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young's "Teach Your Children" peaked at #16 and Neil Young & Crazy Horse's "Cinnamon Girl" topped out at #55 on the charts.

On this day in 1970, driven by Joe Walsh's guitar work and songwriting, James Gang's second album, "Rides Again," began its climb to #20 on the charts.

On this day in 1981, The Moody Blues' "Long Distance Voyager" album hit #1 for the first of three weeks just as Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers' "Hard Promises" peaked at #5 and Pat Benatar's "Precious Time" entered the LP charts on its way to #1 and two million sold.

On this day in 1981, Stevie Nicks released her biggest solo hit, "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around." Recorded with Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, it eventually spent six weeks at #3

On this day in 1984, Foreigner's "4" entered the album charts on its way to a 10-week stay at #1.

On this day in 1987, The Grateful Dead's "In The Dark" album began its climb to #6 with two million sold, their "Touch Of Grey" single entered the charts on its way to #9 — their biggest hit single ever.

July 26, 2015

On this day in 1969, John Lennon's "Give Peace A Chance" entered the American singles charts on its way to #14.

On this day in 1975, as the Eagles' "One Of These Nights" album started a five-week run at #1, Bruce Springsteen's "The Wild, The Innocent & The E Street Shuffle" (featuring "Rosalita") entered the charts on its way to #59.

On this day in 1980, The Rolling Stones eclectic "Emotional Rescue" album hit #1 for the first of seven weeks as Pat Benatar's "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" began its climb to #9.

On this day in 1986, Peter Gabriel's classic "So" album peaked at #2 for the first of three weeks just as his "Sledgehammer" single hit #1 on the charts. On the strength of hit singles, airplay on MTV and Peter's touring, the album eventually sold over five million copies.

On this day in 1990, Brent Mydland became the Grateful Dead's third consecutive keyboardist to die when he overdosed in his home at the age of 37.

On this day in 2013, legendary singer/songwriter JJ Cale, whose songs "Cocaine" and "After Midnight" were made famous by Eric Clapton passed away from heart failure at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla at the age of 74. Never one for the spotlight, the reclusive Cale loved Lynyrd Skynyrd's famous cover of his "Call Me The Breeze," and many other artists including Santana, The Allman Brothers Band, Johnny Cash and Beck covered him and were influenced by his laid back approach. But JJ was especially close with Clapton, and the two won a GRAMMY Award for their 2006 album "The Road to Escondido." By the way, a nightclub owner in California who was employing Cale in the mid-Sixties came up with the "JJ" moniker to avoid confusion with the Velvet Underground's John Cale.

July 27, 2015

On this day in 1974, Lynyrd Skynyrd's anthemic "Sweet Home Alabama" entered the singles charts on its way to #8. Written in response to Neil Young's diss of their home state in his classic "Southern Man," the eventual result was Neil and the Skynyrd boys becoming great friends.

On this day in 1974, Bad Company's self-titled debut album entered the charts on its way to #1 and over five million sold.

On this day in 1976, after a four-year court battle, John Lennon received his green card and was granted permanent residency status in the United States.

On this day in 1977, Led Zeppelin called off the remainder of their '77 North American Tour following the death of Robert Plant's 6-year-old son Karac due to respiratory failure.

On this day in 2001, Lynyrd Skynyrd bassist Leon Wilkeson died of heart failure in his Florida home. He was 49.

More Gilmour For You

Pink Floyd singer/guitarist David Gilmour has doubled the number of U.S. dates he'll be playing in support of his upcoming solo album, "Rattle That Lock." The four-city tour will begin on March 24th and 25th at our own Hollywood Bowl, followed by two shows each in Toronto, Chicago and New York. The album itself — his first in 10 years — will be released on September 18th. Prior to the North American dates, Gilmour will roll through a 10-show series of U.K. and European gigs from a September 12th through an October 2nd and 3rd stand at London's Royal Albert Hall. Can't wait!

More Keef/Stones

Sure, Keith Richards will release his new solo album, "Crosseyed Heart," on September 18th as The Rolling Stones roll into more tour dates. But his surprise mention that The Stones plan to hit the recording studio just after the first of the year has got people buzzing. It turns out that the boys were discussing a new recording project even before they launched their recent Zip Code Tour of North America! Well let's keep those guys working!

It was Oscar Wilde who said: "Life is too important to be taken seriously."

It was Coach John Wooden who said: "Ability is a poor man's wealth."

It was Winston Churchill who said: "When the eagles are silent, the parrots begin to jabber."

It was John F. Kennedy who said: "Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future."

This Saturday, 11am - 1pm: Time for some wild family fun at the Auto Enthusiast Day presented by Nitto Tire at Angel Stadium of Anaheim! See hundreds of custom cars and trucks as well as professional Drift car racers Vaughn Gittin Jr. and Tanner Foust, win prizes and admission is FREE!

July 28, 2015

Keyboardist Richard Wright of Pink Floyd would have been 72.
Blues guitarist Mike Bloomfield would have been 71.
Drummer Simon Kirke of Bad Company is 66.
Guitar god Steve Morse of Deep Purple is 61.

On this day in 1973, The Grateful Dead, The Band and the Allman Brothers Band played for some 600,000 at the world's largest rock festival at Watkins Glen Raceway in upstate New York. All the mud counteracted the nudity, and in May 1974, the birth rate barely showed an increase. Trust me, this was a good thing.

On this day in 1973, Deep Purple's "Smoke On The Water" peaked at #4 as "Money" by Pink Floyd topped out at #13 and "Over The Hills And Far Away" by Led Zeppelin reached #51 on the singles charts. Meanwhile, Grand Funk's "We're An American Band" entered the charts on its way to #1. Doesn't it just seem like some days everything happens at once?

On this day in 1995, James Al Hendrix, the father of legendary rocker Jimi Hendrix, won back the rights to his son's name, likeness, image and music. In the two decades between Jimi's death and this decision, countless businesses made profits off of Jimi. Now, it's his family that's raking it in.

Big Sellers At Auction

The black wool double-breasted suit jacket (size small) that Ringo Starr wore in the 1965 Beatles movie "Help!" sold for over $46,500 at last Thursday's Boston-based RR Auction. The jacket with soft gray vertical pinstripes, six black buttons and the name "Ringo" sewn inside was part of the online Marvels of Modern Music auction. Other items sold in the auction included a Hamer guitar custom-made for Johnny Ramone going for almost $50,000; a signed Jimi Hendrix Experience album cover for almost $31,000; a signed Janis Joplin photograph for almost $19,000; and a contract signed by Jim Morrison to appear on American Bandstand for nearly $12,000.

No Walsh For You

The good news is that Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh will launch a month-long solo tour September 18th featuring songs from his days with James Gang as well as his solo hits. The bad news is that he won't come within 2,000 miles of Southern California. Ah well, maybe next year.

It was Glenn Turner who said: "Worrying is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do, but it gets you nowhere."

It was Kurt Vonnegut who said: "Unusual travel suggestions are dancing lessons from God."

It was Benjamin Franklin who said: "You may delay, but time will not."

It was Dalai Lama who said: "Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them."

July 29, 2015

On this day in 1965, The Beatles' second film, "Help!," premiered in London. The event created chaos by attracting thousands of excited fans to the location, and even Princess Margaret was in attendance. No, she didn't stand in line.

On this day in 1966, Bob Dylan crashed his motorcycle in Woodstock, NY. The legendary accident (which many still don't think really happened) allowed Dylan to disappear from public life at the height of his popularity. He reportedly suffered a concussion, a broken neck vertebrae, and suffered from paralysis and mild amnesia for the next month. For the record, he was riding a Triumph 55 motorcycle, which in 1966 was one hot machine.

On this day in 1966, Cream kicked off their first tour with a very loud concert in Manchester, England.

On this day in 1972, Alice Cooper's million-selling scandalous "School's Out" album peaked at #2 for the first of three weeks.

On this day in 1972, driven by the Top 40 success of the "Saturday In The Park" single, "Chicago V" entered the album charts on its way to a nine-week run at #1 and two million sold.

On this day in 1978, Bruce Springsteen's long awaited "Darkness On The Edge Of Town" album hit #5. On the strength of The Boss' amazing live shows and extensive touring, "Darkness" eventually sold over five million copies.

On this day in 1989, "Runnin' Down A Dream" from Tom Petty's first solo album, "Full Moon Fever," entered the charts on its way to #23.

Lollapalooza From The Comfort Of...

Great news if you want to enjoy this weekend's Lollapalooza 2015 festival in Chicago's Grant Park without the humidity, bugs and festheads spilling beer on you. Headliners Paul McCartney and Metallica, among others, will be streamed live on the Red Bull TV website from Noon to 8pm PDT Friday through Sunday. Ahhh, Lollapalooza with all the comforts of home.

A Doobular Infringement

The Doobie Brothers have filed a trademark lawsuit against the folk-rock cover duo Doobie Decibel System (DDS), arguing the group's name is "confusingly similar" to theirs. The cover band — a side project for Jason Crosby (who has played with Bob Weir, Carlos Santana and Eric Clapton) and Roger McNamee (co-founder of multi-billion dollar private equity firms Silver Lake Partners and Elevation Partners, the latter of which he started with U2's Bono) — has been playing out for less than a year. As you'd expect, the Doobie Brothers want DDS to stop using the name immediately and are seeking punitive damages for trademark infringement, false designation of origin and unfair competition. They also want an accounting of all earnings by the cover band since their inception. Now that's truly Rock & Roll!

It was Yogi Berra who said: "If people don't want to come out to the ballpark, nobody's gonna stop them."

It was G. K. Chesterton who said: "Thieves respect property. They merely wish the property to become their property that they may more perfectly respect it."

It was Steven Wright who asked: "If you shoot at a mime, should you use a silencer?"

It was W.C. Fields who said: "Start off every day with a smile and get it over with."

July 30, 2015

On this day in 1966, "Wild Thing" by The Troggs hit #1 as Bob Dylan's "I Want You" peaked at #20 on the charts.

On this day in 1966, The Beatles' "Yesterday And Today," an America-only-album compiled of tracks off the British "Help!," "Rubber Soul" and "Revolver" albums, hit #1 for the first of five weeks.

On this day in 1974, Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band played an impressive show at The Troubadour in Los Angeles. Fitting all of those guys and their equipment on that tiny stage remains one of the top physics marvels of the 20th Century.

On this day in 1977, KISS' "Love Gun" album hit #4 just as Yes' "Going For The One" entered the charts on its way to #8.

On this day in 1983, Talking Heads' "Burning Down The House" entered the singles charts on its way to #9.

On this day in 1983, former Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant's second solo album, "The Principle Of Moments," entered the charts on its way to #8 — powered by lots of MTV video play of his catchy "In The Mood."

On this day in 1988, Cheap Trick's cover of Elvis Presley's "Don't Be Cruel" entered the singles charts on its way to #4.

On this day in 1994, The Rolling Stones' "Voodoo Lounge" entered the album charts on its way to #2 with two million sold.

On this day in 2003, Sam Phillips, the founder of Sun Records and the man credited with discovering Elvis Presley, died of respiratory failure in Memphis. He was 80.

On this day in 2003, the largest paid-admission concert in history came off without a hitch when 450,000 to 500,000 fans gathered for the Molson Canadian Rocks For Toronto (SARS-stock) concert headlined by The Rolling Stones. The 11-hour show featured 13 other acts, including AC/DC, The Guess Who and Rush.

On this day in 2014, virtuoso rock guitarist Dick Wagner — famous for his work with Alice Cooper, Lou Reed, KISS, Peter Gabriel and Rod Stewart — died of respiratory failure at Arizona's Scottsdale Healthcare Shea Medical Center at the age of 71.

Stones Are Bucks Up (Again)

Don't worry about those darn Rolling Stones and their retirement plans. Their Zip Code tour just wrapped with $109.7 million grossed from 628,733 tickets sold at just 14 concerts. Add in the income from their 50 & Counting tour (2012-2013) and last year's 14 On Fire trek, the band's overall concert grosses over the past 33 months exceeded $401 million with 1.8 million fans in attendance at 62 shows (not including festival appearances). Do you think they'll still be coming to the Southland? In time, Grasshopper, in time!

Stephen Keeps Working

Guitar god Stephen Stills has just started a short tour that will finish with shows at The Coach House Concert Hall in San Juan Capistrano on August 4th and 5th. Yes, he's also recently released the four-CD, career-spanning, 82-track box set, "Carry On" (curated by Graham Nash), which covered Stephen's work with Buffalo Springfield, CSN, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Manassas and the Stills-Young Band. What's next? Re-teaming with guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd and keyboardist Barry Goldberg in the Rides. And then there's that unfinished autobiography...

It was Keith Richards who said: "I've nothing against daylight. I don't live totally nocturnally, only when I feel like it. Which is most of the time."

It was Zig Ziglar who said: "Obstacles are the things we see when we take our eyes off our goals."

It was Albert Einstein who said: "Technological progress is like an axe in the hands of a pathological criminal."

It was Edith Wharton who said: "There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it."

July 31, 2015

Singer/guitarist Bob Welch of Fleetwood Mac fame would have been 69.
Drummer Bill Berry of R.E.M. is 57.

On this day in 1965, The Yardbirds released the song "Heart Full of Soul," which featured Jeff Beck's groundbreaking guitar work. As it confounded garage band guitar players and their parents alike, the single soon peaked at #9

On this day in 1971, James Taylor hit #1 with "You've Got A Friend" as Lee Michaels released "Do You Know What I Mean."

On this day in 1976, as Gary Wright's "Love Is Alive" hit #2 and "You're My Best Friend" by Queen peaked at #16 on the charts, Blue Oyster Cult's "Don't Fear The Reaper" began its climb to #12.

On this day in 1982, as Jackson Browne's "Somebody's Baby" began its climb to #7 (thus becoming the biggest hit of his career), Joan Jett's far less subtle "Do You Want To Touch Me (Oh Yeah)" began its slow grind to #20 on the singles charts.

On this day in 1985, John Mellencamp released his classic "Scarecrow" album. Considered by many to be his finest collection of songs, the album eventually spent three weeks at #2 and sold over five million copies.

On this day in 1993, Aerosmith's "Cryin'" (co-written by Steven Tyler, Joe Perry and Taylor Rhodes) began its climb to #12 on the singles charts via backseats across America.

Double Your U2

U2 will release a new behind-the-scenes documentary and a live concert film in November on HBO. The documentary on how the group's current Innocence + Experience tour came together — featuring interviews with all four members of the group as well as the people who work backstage and helped conceive the band's current tour — will premier on November 7th. The concert film will be shot at the band's Paris gig on November 14th and air the same day. Do you think they'll announce another North American tour before then?

A New Keef Doc

A brand new documentary about Keith Richards — "Keith Richards: Under The Influence" — will premiere on Netflix on September 18th, the same day the guitarist's latest solo album, "Crosseyed Heart," will be released. Keef's film was directed by Morgan Neville, who previously directed the Oscar-winning documentary "20 Feet From Stardom."

It was Malcolm Forbes who said: "Too many people overvalue what they are not and undervalue what they are."

It was Robert Anthony who said: "We fear the thing we want the most."

It was Ann Landers who said: "At every party, there are two kinds of people — those who want to go home and those who don't. The trouble is, usually they are married to each other."

It was St. Theresa of Avila who said: "I do not fear Satan half so much as I fear the fears of those who fear him."

Tomorrow, 11am - 1pm: Time for some wild family fun at the Auto Enthusiast Day presented by Nitto Tire at Angel Stadium of Anaheim! See hundreds of custom cars and trucks as well as professional Drift car racers Vaughn Gittin Jr. and Tanner Foust, win prizes and admission is FREE!